80 years of growth and innovation for the MacGregor brand

The loss of coal miners from ineffective wooden hatches inspired the MacGregor brothers to develop the first steel hatch cover.

MacGregor is now entering its eightieth year. In 1937, to promote and sell the steel hatch covers that engineer brothers Robert and Joseph MacGregor developed and patented in 1929, MacGregor & Company was formed in Whitley Bay on the north-east coast of England.

The brothers’ belief in the need for steel hatch covers stemmed from what they saw as the unnecessary loss of coal miners in the North Sea from ineffective wooden hatch covers. Their design was deceptively simple; it consisted of five articulated leaves that stowed neatly at the end of each hatch. It was revolutionary, but persuading shipbuilders and owners to change from the tried and tested wooden covers proved surprisingly difficult. 

Over the years that have followed, MacGregor has grown both organically and through acquiring new companies. In 2005 it became part of Cargotec Corporation. Today, MacGregor continues to lead and shape the marine and offshore markets with its strong portfolio of market-leading brands and an unrivalled service record.